0

In college athletics, a great program is always backed by an even greater support staff. The administration staff. The academic center staff. The athletics communications staff. The equipment management staff. All play a crucial role in a program’s success and are much-needed. Here are a few tips for building your health support staff.

Find Your Athletic Director

Athletic directors run the ship. They oversee the work of coaches and others within the athletic department. They direct athletic activities and supervise athletic events. As the athletic director goes, so does the entire program. Well, to succeed in your health journey you need to find your athletic director. Hire a personal trainer. Or find an expert that you can rely on for advice. Find an individual that knows about health that can help direct and supervise your health activities.

Find Your Compliance Director

The compliance office has the hard job of ensuring the athletic department and student-athletes are compliant with NCAA legislation. Legislation areas include eligibility, recruiting, and financial aid. Unfortunately, there are so many variables when dealing with so many people. The same goes for your health. It is important to find a compliance director to hold you accountable. A friend, a spouse or partner, or a coworker. You need someone to keep you honest when pursuing your health goals.

Find Your Sports Medicine Director

Sports medicine is a perk that many don’t realize is given to student-athletes. I never thought about that aspect during my recruiting process. But once on campus, the sports medicine department play a significant role in keeping me on the track and competing at a high level. During your health journey, it is important you surround yourself with qualified medical staff. A family practitioner can offer a yearly physical to assure you are healthy. A chiropractor or physical therapist can keep you functioning through pain and injury. Find a medical expert that supports your health goals and puts your overall health first.

Building a proper support staff should be a pillar in your health goal development. Find a health expert to help you develop a reasonable safe plan. Find a friend or co-worker that you can travel the journey with and focuses on keeping you on the path. Find a medical expert that helps you track your health via a yearly physical and rehabilitation when needed. The better support staff, the better chance you have of creating meaningful, lasting behavior changes.

About Walt WhitfieldWalter Whitfield is an employee wellness consultant and founder of Lavoro Workplace Wellness where he helps businesses improve their workplace through employee wellness strategies. He has worked with corporations like Chevron, BP, and Seadrill. Walter is a former college athlete for Louisiana’s Ragin Cajuns where he competed in cross country and track, winning Sunbelt conference titles in the 3k Steeplechase and 5k. He is married, has 3 kids, and loves all things New Orleans Saints and Louisiana’s Ragin Cajuns.